Jeep is one of the most iconic brands in the automotive world, with a history that dates back to the Second World War. The American company is known for its rugged and versatile vehicles that can tackle any terrain and challenge. But did you know that Jeep also has a connection with the most famous spy in the world, James Bond?
Jeep and James Bond: A Brief History
Jeep and James Bond's relationship goes back to the film franchise's early days when the legendary Sean Connery played the role of 007. In the first Bond movie, Dr. No (1962), Bond drives a Sunbeam Alpine to Miss Taro’s home in the Blue Mountains, but he is chased by a Chevrolet Bel Air driven by Dr. No’s henchman. The chase ends with the Bel Air crashing into a pile of fuel drums and exploding, while Bond escapes unharmed. The Sunbeam Alpine was a British sports car, but it was actually based on a platform shared with the Willys-Overland company, which later became Jeep.
In the second Bond movie, From Russia with Love (1963), Bond and his ally Kerim Bey use a Ford Ranch Wagon to visit a gypsy camp. The wagon is attacked by a group of assassins, who use a Citroën 11 Legere as their getaway car. Bond and Kerim manage to fend off the attackers, but the wagon is damaged by gunfire. The Ford Ranch Wagon was also based on a platform shared with Willys-Overland, and it was one of the first station wagons to feature a tailgate that could be opened either as a door or as a flat panel.
In the third Bond movie, Goldfinger (1964), Bond drives his iconic Aston Martin DB5, which is equipped with various gadgets and weapons by Q Branch. The DB5 is one of the most famous cars in the history of cinema, and it has appeared in several Bond movies since then. However, the DB5 also has a link with Jeep, as it was designed by the Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring, which also designed the Willys Interlagos, a sports car based on the Renault Alpine A108. The Willys Interlagos was produced in Brazil by Willys-Overland, and it was the first Brazilian-made sports car.
In the fourth Bond movie, Thunderball (1965), Bond uses a Bentley Mark IV to drive to the Shrublands health clinic. The Bentley Mark IV was a luxury car produced by Bentley Motors, which Rolls-Royce owned at the time. Rolls-Royce also owned a Sentinel Wagon Works subsidiary, which produced industrial vehicles and locomotives. Sentinel Waggon Works partnered with Willys-Overland, producing a version of the Willys MB jeep, which the British Army used during the Second World War.
In the fifth Bond movie, You Only Live Twice (1967), Bond drives a Toyota 2000GT in Japan, where he meets his contact Aki. The Toyota 2000GT was a sports car that was considered the first Japanese supercar, and it was designed by Satoru Nozaki, who the Jaguar E-Type inspired. The Jaguar E-Type was a British sports car that was also designed by an Italian, Malcolm Sayer, who worked for Jaguar. Sayer was also involved in the design of the Willys M38A1, a military jeep that was an improved version of the Willys MB.
Jeep Compass 4xe: the latest Bond car
As you can see, Jeep has a long and surprising history with James Bond, even though the brand has never been officially featured in the movies. However, that is about to change, as Jeep has announced that the new Jeep Compass 4xe will be the official car of the upcoming Bond movie No Time to Die (2021). The Jeep Compass 4xe is a plug-in hybrid version of the compact SUV, which combines a 1.3-liter turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor to deliver a total of 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Compass 4xe also features an all-wheel-drive system that uses an electric motor to power the rear wheels, giving it enhanced traction and off-road capability.
The Jeep Compass 4xe will appear in several movie scenes as Bond travels across different countries and faces various enemies. The Compass 4xe will showcase its performance, efficiency, and versatility, as well as its style and technology. The Compass 4xe has a redesigned exterior, with a more aggressive front bumper, full LED headlights, and new alloy wheels. The interior has also been upgraded with a new dashboard, a larger touchscreen, and a digital instrument cluster. The Compass 4xe also offers a range of safety and convenience features, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and wireless smartphone connectivity.
The Jeep Compass 4xe is a great car for James Bond and anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of a plug-in hybrid SUV. The Compass 4xe can travel up to 30 miles on electric power alone, reducing fuel consumption and emissions in urban driving. The Compass 4xe also has a fast charging system, which can recharge the battery in less than two hours. The Compass 4xe also has a generous cargo space, a comfortable cabin, and a competitive price. The Jeep Compass 4xe starts at $36,995 in the US, which is cheaper than some of its rivals, such as the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid, and the Toyota RAV4 Plug-In.
Conclusion
The Jeep Compass 4xe is the latest addition to the long and fascinating relationship between Jeep and James Bond, which spans over half a century and several continents. The Compass 4xe is a modern and innovative SUV that combines the best of both worlds: the power and performance of a petrol engine and the efficiency and sustainability of an electric motor. The Compass 4xe is also a stylish and versatile vehicle that can handle any situation and terrain, just like the legendary spy. The Jeep Compass 4xe is the perfect car for James Bond fans and anyone who wants to experience the thrill of driving a plug-in hybrid SUV.
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